Education is power — that is the motto of the newly launched Bitcoin Academy in Brooklyn, New York. Fintech entrepreneur Jack Dorsey, founder of Block Inc., and hip-hop icon Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) have partnered to bring free Bitcoin education to residents of the Marcy Houses public housing complex, where Jay-Z grew up. The initiative provides free courses, MiFi devices, and a one-year data plan to eliminate barriers to entry and foster financial independence.
Free Bitcoin Classes for Marcy Houses Residents
The Bitcoin Academy runs from June 22 to September 7, 2022, with in-person classes held twice weekly in the evenings, including dinner for attendees. All Marcy residents are welcome, and a special Crypto Kids Camp caters to children aged 5 to 17 on Saturdays. Those in need receive MiFi devices and a full year of mobile data, which they can keep after the program ends. The academy is supported by crypto educators Najah J. Roberts and Lamar Wilson (Black Bitcoin Billionaire).
Jack Dorsey announced the project on Twitter, stating: “Bitcoin is becoming a critical tool for many in Africa and Central and South America. We believe the same potential exists within communities in the U.S. Our goal is to prove that making powerful tools more available to people enables them to build greater independence.” He added: “Education is where we start. This isn’t just about bitcoin…it’s about long-term thinking, local economies, and self-confidence.”
Jay-Z’s Vision: Empowering the Community
Jay-Z tweeted: “Shout out to Jack. Bitcoin Academy, starting in Marcy, a place that taught me so much, is hopefully the first of many. The simple goal is to provide people tools to build independence for themselves and then the community around them.” His nonprofit, the Shawn Carter Foundation, has also contributed to the initiative.
The Bitcoin Academy website states: “Education is power,” and highlights that all Marcy residents are eligible. The curriculum covers not only Bitcoin fundamentals but also long-term thinking, local economies, and self-confidence. By removing cost and connectivity barriers, Dorsey and Jay-Z aim to demonstrate that financial tools can transform underserved communities.
The Brooklyn Bitcoin Academy marks a milestone in grassroots crypto education. As Dorsey put it, “making powerful tools more available to people enables them to build greater independence.” If successful, this model could inspire similar programs across the United States and beyond, bringing the benefits of Bitcoin and blockchain technology to those who need it most.